Why I don’t want to be defined as a woman economist,  but why it is important nonetheless

As a woman studying economics, I often find myself in the middle of discussions on gender equality. That is on the one hand because for economists and the economy, gender equality is a very relevant topic with respect to labour markets or economic growth. On the other hand, as a woman in economics, I am myself part of a field that is highly gendered imbalanced and where women are notoriously underrepresented. 

Continue ReadingWhy I don’t want to be defined as a woman economist,  but why it is important nonetheless

Why Economics?

Most often the discourse around being a woman in economics is about the pitfalls. It is about the struggles of being the only woman in the room, figuring out how to raise our voice, battling imposter syndrome, navigating hostile environments, finding a balance of work and family; to name just a few. Yet despite all this, many of us are still appreciative to have found our way to economics. Within the Writing and Editing Team at the Women in Economics Initiative, we are all grateful to be in economics. In the midst of the frequent negative discussions, four of us want to share our anecdotes of why economics.

Continue ReadingWhy Economics?

The Link Between Economics, Climate Change, and Gender

Throughout the summer of 2021, there were several events which made the impacts and uncertainty of climate change feel pretty certain. Extreme weather such as unprecedented heatwaves across the US and disastrous flooding in both western Germany and China, led to lives lost, businesses shut down, and economic life put on pause. Likewise, the IPCC report released in August 2021 painted a stark picture; climate warming and its consequences are unavoidable. But first, to fight the consequences of climate change, we must acknowledge the role between economics and environmental degradation, and specifically its connection to women in economic life and the economics profession.

Continue ReadingThe Link Between Economics, Climate Change, and Gender

The certainty trap – Why data may not be wrong but not right either

We are used to data and numbers being accurate demonstrations of our world. They are clear, hard facts of the issues they are describing. People think of data and statistics as something definitive and clear and tend to be trusting towards it. If someone wants to support an argument it is not rare to support it by statistics and numbers. It gives the verbal argument a more scientific and certain foundation and makes it therefore more trustworthy.

Continue ReadingThe certainty trap – Why data may not be wrong but not right either